LIVERMORE FALLS – Donovan Smith was determined to send the few hundred fans who braved the wind, rain and chill of Griffin Field home with a smile on their faces.

All Smith did in the last 23 seconds of the game was kick the game-winning 40-yard field goal, then on the ensuing return, make a touchdown-saving tackle. He knocked down a pass on the game’s final play to preserve the Andies’ hard-fought 3-0 victory over Traip Academy Friday night.

The game, which started out in driving rain, was between two teams fighting for their playoff lives. With the victory, the Andies took a giant stride toward getting into the postseason.

“We need to win our remaining two games,” said Livermore Falls coach Brad Bishop.

Both teams had excellent scoring chances stopped at the goal line earlier in the game. In the second quarter, the Andies drove the ball to the Traip 1-yard line.

Senior quarterback Kevin Gats ran for 16 yards and a first down, and then completed a 14-yard pass to Kyle Stebbins to keep the drive alive.

The Rangers’ defense stiffened and stopped the Andies with a foot on fourth down.

Traip’s best offensive series of the night started at the Andies’ 43-yard line following a short punt.

The Rangers drove the ball to the 2-yard line behind the running of Robert Allen and Seth Lawson. The drive appeared to stall at the 5-yard line only to continue after the Andies were flagged for defensive holding.

With the ball on Livermore Falls’ 2, the Andies were able to strip the ball loose on the next play and keep the game scoreless.

The Andies took over at their own 30. Eight plays later, with the ball on the 26-yard line and facing a fourth-and-six, Smith nailed the game winning field goal.

“That was the first time I’ve ever tried a field goal in a game,” said Smith.

Smith wasn’t finished just yet.

On the ensuing kickoff, Allen picked up the ball at the 35-yard line, crossed midfield and broke into the clear along the right sideline only to be caught at the ankles by Smith.

The game ended when Smith knocked down Traip’s final pass over the middle.